50 Most Powerful Pastors In Nigeria

Divinely gifted in many ways, they are Nigeria ’s best and most sought-after
preachers in the task of saving souls and fighting demonic forces

By Bideh Williams

When on April 9, 2000 , Jeremiah Ejikeme, general superintendent of Faith Pentecostal

Ministry, Umuahia, stood before a large congregation to testify that God raised
him from death, January 29, 2000 , it sounded incredible. He claimed to have
been certified dead at the Model Hospital and Maternity, 4, Oboru Street ,Umuahia,
Abia State on January 25, and was transferred to the morgue before his dramatic
"resurrection" five days later.

Ejikeme thanked God for using Victor Onukogu, popularly known as Daddy
Hezekiah, founder of Living Christ Mission for the miracle.

In a less dramatic but no less amazing circumstance, a woman who attended a

crusade organised by Francis Wale Oke, founder of the Sword of the Spirit
Ministries, attracted the attention of the congregation with screams of joy
and halleluyahs while waving a newspaper in her hand.

Her testimony was in 1999. She had approached Oke in London to pray for her
as she faced an immigration order to deport her back to Nigeria . It was her
last chance and she just had to win. A day after the prayer, the House of Parliament
in London decided that all asylum seekers in Great Britain for a certain period
be given automatic residence. About 56,000 people were affected and the woman
was among them.

Gabriel Akubueze, 24, a trader in textile materials at Agege was among the
thousands of people that trooped into one of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s
Total Experience crusade in Lagos . "I want a miracle for my business,"
he said.

Ejikeme, Akubueze and the asylum-seeking woman aptly portray the various reasons
why millions of Nigerians search for miracles, signs and wonders. They have
continued to attend religious crusades to seek miracles to their numerous problems
such as barrenness, unemployment, financial difficulties, deliverance from ancestral
curses, sickness and more.
In Nigeria today, there are more than 50 of such powerful pastors in whose
areas of speciality are miracles, prophecy, healing, teaching, preaching, marriage
counselling, and are attracting people with such problems. They include Pastor
Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Humble, the mathematician-turned preacher has impacted on the lives of millions
of Nigerians with his monthly Holy Ghost Night programme.

On every first Friday of the month, all roads virtually lead to the "Redeem
Camp" at Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, venue of the crusade. The
programme attracts thousands of miracle seekers every month. And they come from
as far as Kaduna , Benue , Ilorin , Ibadan , Lagos and Port Harcourt .

The RCCG is one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria with branches all
over the 36 states of the federation and in London and the United States . In
Lagos alone, nearly every street has a branch or fellowship centre of the church.
It has been said that this is in line with Adeboye’s vision to spread the
gospel.

David Oyedepo, general overseer of Living Faith Ministries aka Winners

Chapel has grown to become an oak tree in Christendom. His 50,000 capacity worship
centre known as Cannanland in Otta, Ogun State , has attracted Christian worshippers
from within and outside the country. Newswatch learnt that in the last 10 years
of his ministry, many barren women have given birth to babies after attending
his miracle programmes. Many more claimed that they received healings, secured
employment, financial breakthroughs, turn-arounds in their respective businesses
and deliverance from ancestral curses.

Oyedepo’s motivational, faith-building teachings have also endeared him

to many. As part of his outreach programmes, the church acquired an aircraft
in 1996 to facilitate his evangelism programmes to countries outside Nigeria
. Tagged "Gospel on Wings," the programme was launched as an arm of
the World Mission Agency Incorporated - the organ responsible for foreign mission
operations.

Today, the church is said to exist in every state of Nigeria and in some other
African countries. Oyedepo has more than 20 books published by his Dominion
Publishing House to complement his soul- winning efforts.

Samuel Abiara, 59, founder, Agbala Itura World-Wide, faction of Christ

Apostolic Church is known for his healing services, evangelism and prophecies.
Abiara told Newswatch that he is not a miracle worker but said God has used
him to perform miracles. "The blind see, barren women conceive and bear
healthy children, among others that God has used us to perform in the name of
Jesus,"he said. The church headquarters in Ibadan , Oyo State , is capable
of seating 5,000 worshippers at each service . Abiara enjoys the perks of his
ministry. "Our God is God of prosperity and wealth. Nobody that does the
will of God would lack anything," he said.

The name Chris Oyakhilome, pastor, Christ Embassy, is almost synonymous

with miracles. He is widely known for his Atmosphere for Miracles, a television
serial which advertises the numerous miracles performed by him. The programme
is a hit on many state and private television stations all over the country.
Oyakhilome’s recent outing at National Stadium, Lagos , early this year
attracted about 50,000 people.

Another man of God who has continued to hold sway in the miracle arena is Pastor
Temitope Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun
Egbe, Lagos . His miracle programmes which is aired on television stations have
continued to elicit reactions from church leaders and the public. Particularly,
his genuflection of the hand during every miracle healing process has been widely
described as reflection of occultic leanings.

Scathing as the criticisms are, he has remained unperturbed and has continued
to dazzle the public with his feats. Located at Ejigbo, the Synagogue has turned
out to be Mecca of a sort for miracle seekers. Among them are Europeans and
Americans, who flock to his ministry for miracles. It was this same curiosity
that compelled President Chiluba of Zambia to visit the Synagogue in 1999.

On June 19, this year, Paul Dhanakran, an Indian but internationally acclaimed
evangelist and mentor to world pentecostal leaders such as Pat Robertson, Oral
Roberts and Benny Hinn, visited the Synagogue to receive healing for an intractable
ailment that defied any cure. Barely four days after, Dhanakran left the Synagogue
a new man. He had not been able to walk in the last five years. Joshua has in
store, films of his healing powers. One of the films shows that he had also
raised a man from the dead. He also claims to heal people of AIDS, cancer and
other deadly diseases.

Victor Onukogu became born again in 1967 and changed his name to Hezekiah.
Between then and now, he has grown to become one of the leading miracle workers
in Anambra State . Popularly known as Daddy Hezekiah, and founder of Living
Christ Mission, Onitsha , Anambra State , he told Newswatch that the first miracle
that God performed through him was to raise from death a young girl at Inland
Girls Secondary School , Onitsha , November 21, 1982 . Ever since, he said God
has performed many other miracles and blessed a lot of people through him.

As part of efforts to accommodate the geometrically growing congregation, Hezekiah

has started work on a new church headquarters at Onitsha .

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ede, founder of Catholic Prayer Ministry of the Holy
Spirit, Elele, Rivers State, is perhaps the first Catholic priest whose miracle
works remain immensely popular. Ede has a penchant for breaking of curses and
healing the sick through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The monthly miracle
programme he organises at the Pilgrimage Centre, Elele attracts Christians from
all parts of the country who desire breakthroughs in life.

Beyond the transformations Ede has brought to the style of worship in the Catholic
church, he has also established reputable academic institutions. He is the proprietor
of OSISATEC, a polytechnic in Enugu and Madonna University , Uli, where emphasis
is placed on academic excellence and moral upbringing of students.

Ejike Mbaka, another Roman Catholic reverend father in Enugu is known

for his firebrand style of preaching. Signs and wonders follow his ministrations.
Mbaka’s weekly all-night adoration crusade at the GTC field, Enugu , has
never ceased to inspire Catholic faithfuls to attend his programme. At one of
his crowd-pulling crusades March 7, disaster struck and 14 of the worshippers
died under mysterious circumstances. Though the ill-fated event generated a
lot of controversies, it did not diminish the rising profile of the priest.

His miracles have checked the drift of Catholic faithfuls to other miracle-happening
churches. It has also brought Pentecostals, Methodists, and Anglicans to swell
the crowd: "People fly from abroad to come to our crusade and fly back,"
Mbaka told Newswatch.

Christ Mustard Mission, Port Harcourt , carved a niche for itself with the
divine revelations of Glory Chika Nsiegbe. He predicts future events
on January 1, every year. One of his predictions was that the then gubernatorial
aspirant in Rivers State , Rufus Ada-George would become a governor in 1992.
It came to pass. He also predicted the death of Sani Abacha, former head of
state, in 1996. He is popularly known as the Anointed Man of God in Grace because
of his miraculous exploits.

Primate Theophilus Olabayo, founder of the Evangelical Church of Yahweh

Worldwide has equally been named in such fashion for his predictions. Although,
he has not been visible of late, Olabayo was one prophet whom the nation looked
up to for his prediction of the nation at the beginning of a new year. His predictions
on political matters and leaders were profound. Olabayo manifested that much
even in his writing of letters to leaders of thought, traditional rulers and
world leaders to come together and find solution to perceived looming problems.

His predictions were published in his book: The Book of Revelations for Today
and Tomorrow. Some of his major predictions, however, created bad press for
him because they didn’t come true. When Newswatch sought to interview him
last week, one of his able pastors explained why the request could not be granted,
"There is a divine revelation that he (Olabayo) should cease from talking
to the press untill such a time when there is a counter- instruction,"
he said.
There are some other pastors in Nigeria whose divine calling transcended miracles
and prophecy. They have the power of oratory and teaching of the word so convincingly.
Often times, their power-packed inspirational teachings create a new life for
the hopeless, the down-trodden, the widows, single parents and youths.

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of Kingsway International Christian

Centre, KICC, London is one of them. He has penetrated nearly every home in
Nigeria through telerangelism. Guided by the motto, "Raising champions
and taking territories," Ashimolowo has continued to inspire many lost
souls with his sound knowledge of the scriptures. His "Singles Summit"
on July 12 was a case in point. Participants found new meaning and confidence
in Christian relationships and courtships.

Barely 10 years of existence, KICC now has about 8,000 members at its headquarters
in London and four branches. Ashimolowo has published many books on relationships,
prayer, motivation and finance power. He has also produced a "Power and
Positive" Bible.

Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God, Oregun, Lagos , is

another firebrand preacher that often sends his audience into ecstasies. He
is also known for televangelism but with bias for preaching the end times which
he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie reveals a knowledge of the
book of revelations beyond the ordinary.

Fondly called "Grace teacher" by the multitude of his followers,

Okotie’s teaching tend to evoke reactions more than edifying his listeners.
His latest book, The Last Outcast, which he claims are revelations from God
attest to his controversial teachings. The book has raised a palpable degree
of dust among Christians because of its spiritual explanations on cloning, polygamy,
the church, the anti-Christ, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and more.

Tunde Bakare, pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba, Lagos is in a class

of his own when it comes to political predictions. In the course of such predictions,
Bakare has on one or two occasions invited the wrath of government. In particular,
the prophecy on "Hundred Days and Hundred Ways " rattled the government
so much that he was arrested and interrogated by the State Security Service
early this year.

Beyond his predictions on national issues, Bakare is one preacher who has inspired
and motivated so many. He features regularly on radio and television to share
his knowledge of the scriptures.
Every church has its own history. Paul Adefarasin’s House on the
Rock deserves a mention. Born with a silver spoon, Adefarasin squandered his
life away on drugs in the United States until he saw the light in 1994.

From the living room of his mother in Lagos , he set up a church that blossomed
over the last seven years to 7,000 worshippers at its present headquarters.
This is in addition to 36 other branches both within and outside the country.

Eloquent and charismatic, Aderafasin is one of the favourite televangelists.

Through his "Something Is About to Happen" television programme, he
has been able to touch the lives of many weary souls in many ways. Many find
his turn-around from his previous drug addicted lifestyle as a great challenge
in their own lives.

Today, Adefarasin is putting up a N1.3 billion " Rock Millennium Temple

" that would accommodate thousands of worshippers. Quite a trendy pastor!

But long before the emergence of the likes of Adefarasin, Gabriel Oduyemi,
founder of Bethel Ministries made waves with his "Miracle Night" television
programme in the mid 90s.

The midnight programme which caught the attention of millions of Nigerians

then featured worshippers waving handkerchiefs above their heads on instruction
to realise their miracles of becoming millionaires. For millions of Nigerians
who are constantly looking for miracles, signs and wonders, Oduyemi was God-sent
then.

A firm believer in financial prosperity, Oduyemi encouraged most of the miracle

seekers to donate generously to his church because "God loves a cheerful
giver." Today, Oduyemi, who is now less visible has changed the name of
the church to Bethel Worship Incorporated.

Mountain of Fire and Miracles is another big ministry in Nigeria . Founded

by Daniel Kayode Olukoya, the church had gone a step further to establish
a " Prayer City " along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Olukoya has been able to pull a large crowd of worshipers because of his power
in effective prayers and spiritual warfare. He has inculcated in the minds of
the worshippers that there is a demon or two to fight in every human problem
on earth. To this end, he has de-emphasised the dependence on pastors by worshippers
in preference for a "do-it-yourself-prayer sessions."
William Kumuyi, general overseer of Deeper Life Christian Ministry has
also changed the lives of many by teaching members to live a Christ-like life
and praying ceaselessly. The church is also strong in house fellowship programmes
as a way of encouraging spiritual growth. It views television programmes as
too worldly and as tools of distraction. The thrust of the church is an emphasis
on righteousness and holiness.

Rev. Wilson Badejo, general overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church is

also known for his powerful sermons on holiness, righteousness and salvation.
His teachings have indeed changed the lives of many and have led them to Christ.
He is a powerful preacher of the word of God. Since he took over the mantle
of leadership of the church in 1999, the 53-year-old veterinary doctor-turned
preacher has taken the church to high spiritual pedestrial.

Sam Amaga, founder of the Foundation Faith Chapel Incorporated preaches

prosperity like many of his peers. That is not unexpected from a man ordained
as bishop by late Benson Idahosa. Amaga commands large followership from his
miracle exploits. He has healed, and delivered many from endless problems that
confront man.

Amaga is also popular with his televangelism programmes. His book, How to Be
an Achiever, is a Christian best seller.

Francis Wale Oke, founder of Christ Life Church is another powerful

preacher. He had carried his crusade to even states that are sharia-based. He
said he had taken his missionary exploits to 49 countries including the Soviet
Union where Christianity was intolerable. Oke is the bishop and founder of Christ
Life Church , aka Sword of Spirit Ministries.

Founder of the World of Life Bible Church at Warri, Ayo Oritsejafor

is another protege of the late Benson Idahosa. Described as flamboyant and a
forceful preacher, Oritsejafor is gifted with teaching the word. His fearless
style of preaching has earned him several invitations to several countries including
Germany , Great Britain , America and France , among others.

In confirmation to his winning souls for Christ, the church today boasts of
many members.

Like Wale Oke, Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, pastor of the Throne Room (Trust)
Ministry has taken the gospel of Jesus Christ to Islamic enclaves in the North.
An uphill task no doubt, Kure succeeded in training a lot of northerners as
pastors.

With headquarters in Kafanchan, Kaduna State , membership of the non-denominational

ministry is estimated to be more than 10,000. In recent times, Kure has extended
his spiritual warfare to Port Harcourt and Lagos . Winning souls and commanding
large crowds has never been an all-men’s affair.

Bimbo Odukoya, powerful female preacher is well-known for her Singles

and Married programme on TV. It has stood her apart as one of the remarkable
church leaders.

As a role model to the youths, Odukoya’s teachings of the word centres

on moral uprightness, Christian courtship and counselling. Singles and Married
programme is very popular among the youths. Odukoya’s unique style of delivering
her messages has continued to endear her to many Nigerians. Her husband is also
a pastor.

For Margaret Idahosa, the presiding bishop of Church of God Mission

International , her strength could be best appreciated in her effectively managing
more than 3,000 branches of the church worldwide. Added to this was the extra
burden of overseeing the numerous investments on education of her late husband,
Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

Over the years, Margaret had worked tirelessly to perpetuate the legacies left
behind by her husband. "His greatest desire is for us to continue where
he left off... we must not allow the work to die," she told Newswatch.

Nkechi Anayo-Iloputaife, general overseer of the Victory Christian Church,

Badagry Expressway, Lagos , is another female pastor who assumed headship after
the demise of her husband, in 1995. The gruesome murder of her husband affected
the strength of the church but the strong-willed woman resolved to forge ahead
with painstaking efforts and dedication.

Today, the church, under her leadership has catered for many "Victory"
faithfuls in many ways. The church has branches in 12 states of the federation

Evangelist Helen Ukpabio, founder of Liberty Gospel Church , is another

female minister of the gospel. She has carved a niche for herself at evangelising
through film making than in physically preaching the word. As an actress, it
was easy for her to use her acting to send out inspirational messages to her
growing audience. - Films such as From Grass to Grace, The Price, Power to Bind
and Wasted Years, are soap box for believers. Originally a member of the Olumba
Olumba fraternity, Ukpabio has published two books against the sect: "The
Seat of Satan Exposed" and Unveiling the Mysteries of Witchcraft. Barely
four years old in her new-found ministry, Ukpabio has established 18 other branches
in the country.

In the last 15 years, Tunde Joda, pastor of Christ Chapel, Lagos has
consistently engaged members of his congregation every December in fasting.
An astute preacher who always sermonises the need for exemplary political leadership
among lawless leaders in the country believes that it is the only way to create
sanity in the country. "I want to effect a change. It must begin from the
leaders. Lawlessness is a spirit. It started from the top. When leaders are
lawless, it affects everybody," Joda said.

It has been the centre of his sermons and he therefore, concentrates more on
fasting and prayers. He is a medical doctor-turned preacher.

Apostle G.D. Numbere, pastor of Greater Evangelism World Crusade is

a chip off the old block. A one-time chairman of the Rivers State chapter of
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Numbere lays much emphasis on prayers
and evangelism. He commands a lot of respect among fellow pastors in the South-South
zone because of his miracle exploits and spiritual powers.

Mike Okonkwo, bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, is another

leader no Christian would forget in a hurry when it comes to preaching prosperity
and prayers for deliverance.

But his additional role as the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
tends to be more pronounced than his first calling as minister. Yet, a closer
look reveals Okonkwo as a force in the present crusade to win Nigerians for
God.

Lawrence Osagie, the founder of Powerline Bible Church is known for

his umbrage against government, public institutions and religious bodies.

He is also known for his trendy dressing. Osagie preaches holiness to fight
against social injustice. He is also a gifted teacher in scriptural matters.
He is so miffed by the political situation in the country that he has suggested
the church should lead a revolution that would usher in a better society. Powerline
has branches in Abuja , Edo , Cross River , and Abia states.
Uma Ukpai, a well-travelled Nigerian evangelist is the founder of Uma
Evangelistic Association, Uyo. A profound and charismatic miracle worker, he
has traversed a number of churches, delivering powerful sermons and offering
prayers backed with miracle.

Several pastors from different denominations have invited Ukpai to be part

of their programmes but he could only honour a few. Others have used Ukpai’s
photograph in their handbills to sell their programmes and it has worked miraculously.

Another powerful miracle worker, Samson Ayorinde, prophet of the World

Evangelism Bible Church , Ogudu, is said to have a special anointing on problem
of barenness. He is known as "barenness bulldozer." Ayorinde has drawn
wide membership within a short period of his ministry.

From testimonies and through telephone calls in his Samson Ayorinde Live TV
programme, some have testified that they have received miracles from Ayorinde
by just placing a glass of water in front of the TV set as instructed.

As a miracle worker in high demand, Ayorinde has moved to the Lagos State Television
premises where he now conducts night vigils. Women in search of the fruits of
the womb have continued to flock his miracle programmes. So are the unemployed,
students and a host of miracle seekers.

The more than 2,000 worshippers at the Evidence of the Gospel Church, Benin
City never hide their admiration for Oyonnude Kure, general overseer
of the church for his eloquence and motivational teachings. In addition, Kure
has also performed a number of miracles on his church members and non-members
alike.

When it comes to anointing, Kure often resorts to the use of handkerchiefs

and anointing oils to perform his divine duties. Kure has now set aside the
first Friday of every month for special anointing but the crowd never seems
to get enough of him as they surge to touch his garment or any of his members.

Pastor Patrick Anwuzia of Zoe Ministries is noted for his no-holds barred
prosperity preaching. He heads the Zoe ministry spread across Nigerian cities
and some other foreign countries. He describes himself as a strategic preacher
of practical Christianity.
Though on the ebb following some scandals and assassins’ attack on him,
Anwuzia years ago, took the pentecostal community by storm. He is gradually
bouncing back to recognition.

Rev. O. Ezekiel, the general overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission,

CPM, Ajao Estate, Lagos , one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria is
a powerful man of God. With branches all over Nigeria , CPM lays much emphasis
on prayer and personal consecration. Mercy Ezekiel, the overseer’s hat-loving
wife and vice-president of the church organisation, a firebrand preacher, is
an able partner beside her husband.

In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder of New Covenant Ministry
based in Benin . A protege of the late prosperity preacher, Benson Idahosa,
Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular pentecostal pastors and
a strong advocate of exemplary leadership even among the men of God.

Prince David Zilly-Aggrey, pastor of the Royal House of Grace, Port

Harcourt has become a house-hold name in the south-south zone of the country
because of his popular television programme known as the Prophetic Watch.

His teachings have won a lot of souls to Christendom. The Bayelsa-born pastor
believes that "you need superior information to cause change in somebody."
The strength of his church is more than 5,000 and members of his church believe
that although he does not advertise miracles, God is using him to bring prosperity
to many people in this period of hardship.

Emmah Isong, a graduate of banking and finance from University of Calabar

, wanted to work in one of the most well-to-do banks in the country. But that
was not to be. Before he graduated from the university, Isong became born again
and later founded Emmah Isong Evangelistic Ministry, after his national youth
service corps programme.

Isong now pastors the Christian Central Chapel International at Ikot Enebong,
Calabar which has a congregation of some 4,000 worshipers. The centre attracts
worshippers from all churches and denominations. Isong is essentially a Bible
teacher but many miracles and report of same have been attracting people from
all works of life to the centre.

Anselm Madubuko, general overseer of Revival Assembly, Ikeja, travels

all over the world. Though, he has no branch elsewhere, he has an apostolic
ministry all over the world where he preaches. "What God has done for me
is to give me a stable base," he said.
Revival Assembly is a very big church with a capacity of more than 3,000 worshippers
at a time. Its worshippers show taste, class and style. The church attracts
large membership from the upper class of the society, which explains the fleet
of posh cars parked in the church premises on worship days.

Alexander Ekewuba, founder of Overcomers Christian Mission, Owerri,

is another powerful man of God in Nigeria. Ekewuba is known for his miracles
and demolition of demon-infested institutions in and around Owerri.

The most prominent was the notorious Owerre Ebeiri traditional institution
that thrives on the killing of human beings at the event of the death of the
Eze and the installation of a new one. It was Ekewuba and his pastors that demystified
the barbaric culture at the invitation of Chidi Uzomah, a lecturer at the Imo
State University, Owerri and the heir-apparent. He, in fact, liberated the community
from the demonic bondage which had existed for years.

Rev. Fr. Dominic Nwobodo, director of the Vincentian Retreat Centre,

Lagos, is one of the Catholic priests being used by God to perform miracles
and win souls in Nigeria. Convinced that Nwobodo has the divine gift of a miracle
worker, the Catholic archdiocese of Lagos gave him the approval to establish
the Vincentian Retreat Centre in Ojodu, Lagos. Today, the centre has become
a pilgrimage centre of sorts, as miracle-seeking Christians troop to the place
in search of divine solutions to their problems. Some of the programmes he organised
include counselling for couples, monthly midnight vigil and breaking of curses.

Umoh Ekwo, founder of Bible Standard Christian Ministry with headquarters

in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is a holiness preacher who is popular for his work
in rural envangelisation. Since 1978, when the former high school mathematics
teacher established the church, thousands of people have been reached with the
gospel in Lagos, Abuja, Abia, Imo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River
states.

In Akwa Ibom State, the ministry has been in the forefront of battle against
the practice of witchcraft and other evil powers.

Pastor Stephen Akinola, of the Redemption Ministries, Port Harcourt

is noted for his prowess in the area of televangelism. His church commands a
large population of worshippers who admire his emphasis on practical Christianity.

Gbile Akanni, who lives in Gboko is a teacher of the Word. He holds

an inter-denominational fellowship which attracts Christians of all backgrounds.
This is possible because the services are held during week days. He does not
run a church. He is an itinerant preacher who moves from one denomination to
another on invitation.

He is in high demand and travels a lot. Because of his tight schedule, he is

booked several months before the appointed date. In addition, he runs a week-long
programme in December each year tagged Ministers Leadership Retreat. His areas
of strength are in teaching and evangelism.

Idem Ikon, founder of Revival Valley Ministries with headquarters in

Calabar, was an undergraduate of University of Ife before he quit school to
start preaching. He has been very popular among university students and young
people who have been largely reached by his work. Ikon is a respected guest
speaker and has featured in many international conferences across Africa .

Nicholas Eze, founder and general overseer of Christ for the World Mission
Incorporated with headquarters in Calabar, is another pragmatic preacher. Eze
founded the church in the late 1970s with the main objective of reaching the
younger generation with the gospel. Over the years, the Abasi Obori, Calabar
headquarters of the church is being besieged by miracle seekers and people who
seek deliverance from powers of darkness. Christ for the World Mission has now
spread to many villages and cities in eastern Nigeria . Eze is basically a holiness
preacher and Bible teacher.

Eugene Ogu, pastor of the Abundant Life Ministry, Port Harcourt , is

a preacher and teacher of faith. His commitment to the ministry has affected
the lives of thousands of people in Rivers and Bayelsa states, who have been
abundantly blessed by his spiritual power.

So also is Yomi Isijola, of the Logos Ministry, Port Harcourt . He is

a flamboyant man of God who is using the gift of oratory to do great exploits
for the Almighty. He is also a prosperity preacher and believes firmly that
Christians who serve the Lord in truth deserve to be rich.

His ministry has continued to grow from strength to strength because of people’s
belief in his spiritual power to unlock the mountain of achievements which are
latent and imprisoned in their individual systems.

Isaac Oriakhi, general superintendent of Gospel Light Redemption Ministry,

Abuja , was a foundation member of the Deeper Life Ministry. The ministry which
was established in 1991 is very popular in Abuja because of the versatility
of Oriakhi in teaching the gospel. The powerful man of God who is humble and
unassuming, said that his ministry operates in five-folds. He is a teacher,
pastor, prophet, an evangelist and apostle.

Sam Adeyemi whose velveteen voice on the inspirational radio programme,

Success Tips, has continued to inspire the youths, is the founder of Daystar
Christian Centre, Oregun. The civil engineer-turned preacher is popular among
his faithfuls with his radio programme. He offers sound teachings of the scriptures
and the principles of success in life. The church has 5,000 members today.

Yet, more powerful pastors are emerging to continue the great exploits in Christendom.
And as long as there are miracles, signs and wonders, crusade grounds would
continue to attract new faithfuls and testimonies.

Reports by: Jossy Nkwocha, Olu Ojewale, Chris Ajaero,

Obong Akpaekong, Anza Philips, Fola Adekeye, Solomon Ibharuneafe, Geoffrey Ekenna,
Victor Ugborgu, Favour Okereke, Annette Edo, Betty Onuh, Eno Reuben, Tosin Ominiyi,
and Juliet Akura.